Mohave County miner., 1887-10-15

the four counties into which the Territory
was originally divided. II is bounded on
the East by the line of lib degrees 20
minutes west longitude, or the Yavapai
county line; on the north by the parallel
Of 81 degrees north latitude, or the Utah
and Nevada line; on the west by the line
OF the State OF California and the middle
Of the msin channel Of the Colorado
River, and on the south by the Williams
Fork OF the Colorado and the main
channel OF the Santa Maria River above
its junction with the latter stream; or, in
other words, the Yuma county line. II
has an area Of 1900 square miles, con-
sisting Of rugged mountain ranges and
wide valleys Its population at the last
census was little over 1900, but ii is
now estimated to be nearly $500.
The county il traversed from north TO
south by four nearly parallel mountain
ranges--the Black range, sometimes but
Improperly called the Sacramento; the
Cerbat, the Hualpai and the Cottonwood
or Aquarius ranges. In the northeastern
portion OF the county are the Peacock and
Music Mountain ranges. Between all
these ranges are wide valleys covered
with black and white gramma, gyata and
other nutritious grasses, affording some Of
the finest stock ranges in the Territory.
The Hualpai range is covered with a
heavy growth Of pine, while the Cerbat,
Cottonwood and other ranges contain
scrub pine, pinon, cedar, oak aud juni-
per in abundance. Throughout the foot
hills OF these mountains are scattered
living springs Of water, at most Of which
will be found the homes, gardens and
corralis OF the owners OF the thirty-five
Thousand head OF cattle now ranging in
this county.
The Colorado. which divides Mohave
county from California, Utah and Nevada,
Il the only navigable river in the county,
and prior to the advent OF the Atlantic x
Pacific railroad was the only means OF
obtaining supplies from the outside world.
This great river pursues its tortuous
course around Mohaye county for nearly
$50 miles before it enters the Grand Can.
yon proper, and thence through the larger
part Of this stupendous gorge before il
crosses the line into Yavapai county.
This great river 10 navigable for boats Of
light draught from its mouth to FL Dorado
Canyon, distance Of $50 miles, and in
the months Of June, July and August to
Rioville and other points nearly 100 miles
further up. In the southern portion oi
the county the Big Sandy, Santa Maria
and Williams Fork are running streams,
which, at certain seasons Of the year, de.
velop into veritable rivers; and at all
times furnish an abundance Of water for
irrisating and for mining, milling and
other purposes. Scattered throughout
the mountains are numerous creeks, on
some of which thriving orchards and
vineyards are already established.
The principal interests Of the county
are mining and stock raising, and al
though its agricultural possibilities have
received very little attention heretofore
there are fine stretches of bottom landt
along the Colorado River which are vel
adapted to the raising OF grains, grasses,
fruits Of all kinds, cotton, sugar cane
hemp, rice, tobacco, oranges, lemons
bananas and all tropical fruits, but which
are at present utilized only by occasional
bands Of Mojave and Piute Indians IN
raising corn, pumpkins and melons
which with the mesquite bean form theil
principal food supplies. On the Big
Sandy and williams Fork there are
numerous ranches in a fine state OF cul
tivation, which produce annually enor
NOUS crops Of hay, grain, vegetables and
fruit. At present there are about 1,0Ot
acres under cultivation on these streams
the product Of which is more than suffi
cient to supply the local demand but thit
does not by any means comprise the ares
Of land along these streams which Is sus
ceptible Of cultivation, and the present
extensive mining operations in the south
1 ern portion Of the county leads TO the
hope that the number Of acres under cul
tivation will be more than doubled in the
next year or two.
In the matter OF climate this portion o
Arizona is not excelled by that OF an,
part Of the known world; II, indeed, it IL
equalled. In Mohave county one car
have almost any climate desired. from
the tropical heat of the valley Of thu
Colorado to the semi-tropical and health
full climate of the county generally, or thu
temperate, cool and invigorating atmos
phere OF the mountain ranges. Ths
varieties of climate in this great count,
may be best illustrated by the fact tha
Fort Mojave, on the Colorado, is abou
700 feet above the sea level, while thu
American Flag mine, In the Hualpa
Mountains, is nearly 1900 feet high. II
regard TO climate II is simply matter o
choice; and as such has been alread,
taken advantage of by numerous invalid'
from all portions Of the Union, who
while enjoying the most perfect health
here. are unable to exist In any othe
portion Of the United States. To person.
afflicted with incipient consumption